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Great Utilitarian Machine, Not a Miracle Worker

Posted 6 years ago

WornTraveler

I just got this laptop a few days ago, so keep this in mind (haven't tested over time).
AT FIRST I was very disappointed with this machine. It seemed buggy and slow. Then I got rid of some of the useless Windows 8 stuff. WOW. What an improvement. Web browsing, email, audio/video streaming, all remarkably improved and relatively flawless once I got rid of McAffee especially (I'd suggest a less resource-intensive spyware).
Don't expect a miracle though. It's a basic machine for basic uses. I do a lot of word processing and research, so I needed it to be able to A) have lots of documents and open and not slow down, B) surf internet with multiple (sometimes dozens) of tabs open relatively easy, and C) Some light-level entertainment duties like streaming movies and stuff.
I don't like the chassis. Feels cheap and plastic. I will have to be extremely careful with it (right now I'm still using my old laptop when I go out since I *am* kinda paranoid about messing up this one). I suspect a fall from even a few feet would be utterly devastating.
The battery seems to run low quick, but I leave it running sometimes, so may just be my impression. I was NOT happy that Microsoft Office didn't come with it, but ONLY because Works didn't come with it either. I downloaded Works, NOT about to pay 100 dollars for Microsoft less-than-awesome word processor (never used it anyways). So if you're worried about that, try and find yourself a copy of Works.
WIndows 8 is meh. I might downgrade to 7. Flashy but resource heavy.
I am going to keep a very careful eye on it this month and at the first sign of trouble refund to Best Buy. Newer product so it may turn out there's more a few duds in Lenovo's baseline models. Assuming it works fine, I'm going to expand to 8 Gigs of RAM and use flash cards to route the extra power. It will be beyond satisfactory by then I imagine.

I would recommend this to a friend

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SteveInNY

Elite Plus Member

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4

Windows 8 Start Menu Tip

Posted 6 years ago

SteveInNY

Elite Plus Member

I know a lot of people are really upset with Windows 8 simply for one HUGE reason. ********* NO START MENU *********
This drove me nuts. I was losing hope real fast with the new Windows 8.
I read up on a few cool apps and came across the perfect app that puts the Start Menu right back where it is supposed to be.
Go to the search area on the right of the screen and search the Store for "Classic Start 8". It's a FREE app. I completely LOVE my Windows 8 now. It's perfect.
I included a screenshot of Windows 8 with the new Start Button on the bottom left.
Also, I bought this laptop and can't wait to play with it. It was a very inexpensive laptop and I know it will be perfect for social media and basic internet viewing, photos and email. I did not buy this laptop intending to play resource hogging games. I wouldn't buy a 4 Cylinder car to race with. Even though you can beef it up a little bit you still have to expect it's not going to be the biggest and baddest out. I'm extremely happy with this purchase.

I would recommend this to a friend

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MattB1234

Member

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

Great for the price!

Posted 6 years ago

MattB1234

Member

I was looking for a simple device to browse the internet, upload photos, edit some documents and other light duty stuff like that. So, I was won over by the ads and bought a Chromebook. Long story short, it stunk and I returned it for this Lenovo. I was worried about getting something with Windows 8, and I was worried about it only having 2 GB of RAM, and just worried about it's build quality since I got it for $279. But all of my fears were unfounded as this is a great machine for the price! It boots up faster than any Windows machine I've used, and it was actually faster than I expected given the specs. If you're a gamer, or do anything that's graphically intensive, then this is not for you. But it does about everything else well.
The only negatives I can see are obviously Windows 8 and it's Metro "tablet" interface.....well once I installed Classic Shell and chose the option to open the Desktop on startup, then I can't tell the difference between this and Windows 7. I haven't been in the "Metro" environment since the day I opened the box, and I never intend to use it. I'm sure it's great if you have a touch screen.......but awkward and clunky if you don't. The other negative might be if you intend on using this as an "on the go" laptop......it feels like it may not hold up to being jostled in a backpack all the time. But for me, it never leaves my house, going from my desk to the couch and back.
All in all, I'm so glad I got this laptop! Personal computers have come such a long way, and I never thought I'd be able to get a laptop this good for under $300.

I would recommend this to a friend

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vonSickenstein

Member

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

Very solid computer, regardless of the price

Posted 6 years ago

vonSickenstein

Member

I've owned a Dell Dimension desktop since 2003, and splurge-bought this laptop a few days after black friday because it was under $300 and it met the 2 specs I was looking for: a dual processor, and HDMI output.
I am one of the few humans in the developed world who doesn't use social media, but I use computers frequently to buy and sell things, watch tv shows and movies, play games, and to build websites.
I am pleased and surprised with the way the computer (and its AMD processor) can handle 2 or 3 or even 4 programs open at once.
Battery is pretty good too - probably last 3 hours+ with continued use.
Dolby speakers CRANK - it is most comfortable for me at volume 9 out of 100 - and that is the truth.
Really can't go wrong, this is a great value buy. **I'd recommend downloading "google chrome" as your web browser(s), and deleting IE.

I would recommend this to a friend

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RoboTaco

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4

It is a netbook with a big screen...

Posted 6 years ago

RoboTaco

So I bought this for my mom. I would never use this for myself. Why? Well I require a better computer. But I didn't buy this for me. I bought it for someone who was using NT before I gave her this. Does it suck... Well as a computer technically I guess it does. But looking at the price point and what you want to do with it, you must come to your own conclusion.
I installed anti-virus and Office on it before I sent it to her. I made sure it was updated. And she really likes it. All she wants to do is go online, write emails, use Word, and transfer pictures off her digital camera. And guess what! It totally does this fine. I think if you want a machine that does anything more than this then you should throw more money at your purchase. This is not for you.
As for the machine itself doing these tasks, I find it a little on the slow side even in the start up. This is why I gave it four stars. Even as an oversized netbook it should have been faster on start up. I also knocked the convenience because they put Windows 8 on it and it doesn't have a touch screen. Therefore it is inconvenient. I know, the price point... But it should have had Windows 7.
I am not going to rate 8 on here. And I think it is wrong to do so in reviews for products. Why? Because the OS is its own item to be reviewed. I will say this though... I hate 8. But I know why I hate 8. My mother had no idea she should hate 8. She got the hang of it quickly. So I don't think people who are kinda new will have an issue.
I think this laptop is for people who don't use computers a lot. Or maybe a first one for a kid... It is 4 stars because for what it is, it isn't bad! And probably worth the price I paid. And she really likes it. And I thought the screen was nice for this price point. OH! It also has usb 3.0.
So, for the price, I think it is a good buy. She also hooked up some kid tablet thing to register it and it worked fine. I don't really have the details but there wasn't any issues with it crashing or blue screen. Updates could help with this. From what I understand, rebooting is not uncommon for Windows 8.

I would recommend this to a friend

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mammal123

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

FABULOUS MACHINE FOR THE MONEY

Posted 6 years ago

mammal123

Hello I just picked this up for my new school semester. So far I really enjoyed using it. It takes a good 2 hours for me to get used to the new windows 8 and I use the computer daily. Apart from it being far differently from the past window os it is actually very neat. I am glad that windows 8 did come with it. As far as the features, this is your standard college student laptop. Has enough memory and space to get you by. The large screen is crystal clear, speakers are perfect, and the keyboard is also very nice. For the price this is a great steal! I suggest anyone get it. Do not expect a super fast computer. It is although very fast to do some multitasking, web browsing/shopping, and stream videoing. The build quality is superb. It has a fast set up and load. As far as the reviews about it being buggy I have not had any problems with that so far. I have deleted some of the apps that take a lot of useful space and that has freed up the laptop by a considerable amount.
Do yourself a favor and buy this laptop!!!

I would recommend this to a friend

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drm2012

Member

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4

Great Budget Laptop

Posted 6 years ago

drm2012

Member

I got the G585 not the exact same model, but the specifications are identical. It is run on Windows 8 which if you're use to windows, this is a major What the **** moment. I figured it out quick, but windows 8 is a pain.
While browsing it is not lightning fast, but works well. My children are able to do their flash lessons no problem or stalling. Which is a relief and now I can go over things with 2 of my kids at the same time one on the PC and one on the desktop. That's all that I use it for is for the internet. I went through 2 tablets that had to be returned, then happened across the laptop as an "open box" Item. Got really lucky and got a great deal on it. A hundred less than I was spending on the second laptop.
The only complaint I have really is the windows 8, but being as it's a newer machine it's going to have it regardless. It will take some getting use to. The other thing is there is not a way that I have found any way to turn the touch pad off. The touch pad is super sensitive. There is likely a way, all of my other laptops have had the button right there, so I'm sure I'm missing it.

I would recommend this to a friend

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NDJ93

Member

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4

Well-Built Lenovo

Posted 6 years ago

NDJ93

Member

For under $300, you really couldn't go wrong. The only thing that I don't like about this computer is Windows 8. I would rater have Windows 7, XP, or even Windows 98SE. Windows 8 is new to me, and I can get around pretty well, but the new interface is a big change. I wish there was a Start button on the desktop, but 3rd party apps fix that.
The computer performs well for having 2GB of RAM, but I plan on upgrading it to at least 4, probably 6.
And the sound quality is great for a laptop. Battery life is good too. Under moderate usage with the screen as bright as it can, I have averaged between 3 and 3.5 hours. Demanding usage and screen as bright as it goes gave me about 2 hours.
Other than the low RAM, I really can't complain about this computer. Lenovo builds decent quality computers, though I prefer Gateway.
If you are looking for a cheap computer and don't mind adapting to something that is a little different, I would recommend this computer.